EP1391863B1 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a navigation device, in particular for installation in a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Generic navigation devices with a monitor on which a map can be displayed, in particular for use in motor vehicles are well known. Navigation devices are known from the prior art, in which the scale of a map displayed on the monitor can be changed by the actuation of pressure switches. In one of these navigation devices, which was used for example by the company Audi, the pressure switches are designed as a plus and a minus key, so that the magnification can be increased or decreased by pressing the respective key. So that the user does not lose the necessary overview, the scale change made per keystroke is selected to be small. However, this results in a cumbersome and sometimes time-consuming operation, since the speed with which the scale can be changed by the multiple pressing of one of the keys is limited. This is undesirable because the amount of time the driver must take a hand off the wheel is to be minimal.

In another navigation device known from the prior art, a scale scale can be imaged on the monitor by means of a submenu, on which a bar moves and so a specific scale can be selected. Such a navigation device is used, for example, in certain Toyota brand vehicles. Upon confirmation by the user, the map is displayed on the monitor according to the selected scale. However, such a navigation device presupposes that the user makes prior to the election considerations about which scale corresponds to an optimal representation of the map for him. A user, therefore, who has gained little experience with this device, will not be able to select the scale according to the desired representation. In addition, if the user frequently wishes to make scale changes, this device appears very cumbersome and not very user friendly.

From the US 4,608,656 a street map display for a car is known, wherein in the center of the display a kind of cursor is shown, which reflects the position of the car on the road map and indicates the direction of travel. During the journey by car, the map is automatically moved so that the cursor is always in the center of the map. In addition, the map is rotated according to the direction of travel. For entering the starting position of the vehicle, a joystick pair is provided. In addition, a so-called scale selection unit is provided with which the scale of the road map can be selected. The center is preferably maintained at this scale choice. As controls, a keyboard and the mentioned joystick pair are used.

From the US 4,935,728 a device is known with which a cursor can be moved on a screen. For this purpose, a two-finger operable control element is used, which can be moved similar to a joystick in the X and Y directions and additionally has one or two printing units. The movement of the control in the X and Y directions is transmitted to the cursor, which is then moved in a fine positioning mode or in a rough positioning mode. To the tangible control element more switches can be arranged. The movement of the operating element can in particular be used to select fields on the screen. The display scale can also be changed.

In the U.S. 4,504,913 An electronic navigation system for motor vehicles is described. It has a display on which maps are displayed and are displayed in the various image scales can. In addition, a cursor can be displayed on the display, which can be moved by the operator.

From the DE 197 12 048 is a navigation device having a monitor known.

Finally, out of the EP 0 883 054 A2 discloses a display device for a digital map, which can also be used in navigation systems in vehicles. To change the scale of the map displayed on the display device, the scroll wheel of a mouse is proposed while pressing a certain mouse button. Such mice are sold under the trade name "Intellimouse" by Microsoft Co., Ltd. known.

Against this background, the invention has the object, a generic navigation device in such a way that the scale of a picture, especially a map, can be changed easily and in the shortest possible time by an untrained user in the desired manner with high ease of use.

This object is achieved by a navigation device according to the features of claim 1. The subclaims relate to particularly expedient developments of the invention.

According to the invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus in which the scale change is performed by rotating a rotary switch which can be rotated at a speed determined by the user himself. The time required for the scale change, therefore, depends only on how fast the image can be displayed with the new scale on the monitor. In addition, an inexperienced user can easily find the display scale he wants by directly observing the image change when turning the rotary switch. By this measure, the attachment of numerous function keys is unnecessary and the operating unit of the navigation device according to the invention remains clear. By means of the function, the operating mode and / or at least one of the further operating modes can be adjustable. The operating mode could therefore also be selected by rotation of the rotary switch, whereby a very large number of different operating modes can be selected, so that with the Rotary switch all necessary for the use of the navigation device operations can be performed. It is further provided that an image can be called, whose display panel has a menu with at least one function, wherein by rotation of the rotary switch in a further operating mode, a function from this menu is selectable.

The navigation device according to the invention can therefore be described as extremely comfortable and extremely easy to operate. It also offers the advantage that only one operating element must be provided and must be found and handled by the operator in order to carry out a scale change.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the center of the image is retained during the scale selection, since the user will instinctively choose the image detail that is visible on the monitor in such a way that the area of the image of interest lies almost in the middle.

By turning the rotary switch, the direction of movement of a cursor can be selected in the image in another operating mode. By the rotary switch, for example, in other axial positions, still usable for other operating functions of the navigation device, the ease of use of the navigation device is further increased. Changing the cursor's possible direction of movement by turning the rotary switch is particularly user-friendly, since the movement to be performed by the user is similar to the rotation of the cursor, for example, arrow, which can be observed on the monitor. In this way, the direction of movement of the cursor can also be set extremely flexible, and the user is not, as in other devices to a movement in only four or eight different directions, such. B. bound to the right, left, up and down.

In the invention, by operating the rotary switch, for example by rotation of the rotary switch or axial force on the rotary switch, in a further operating mode, the movement of a cursor along or against a selected direction executable or be triggered, whereby the operation of the navigation device is further simplified, since the user does not need to reposition his hand or his fingers for the movement of the cursor. If the rotary switch has several operating modes, this function is preferably linked to the extreme positions of the rotary switch, ie pressed in completely or pulled out completely. The triggering or execution of a movement of the cursor can take place here before or after the setting of a direction of movement of the cursor. When a movement is triggered before the setting of a movement direction, the default direction of movement is preferably the last set movement direction, the movement along a previously set route or in the direction of a previously entered destination. The initial direction of the cursor can then be changed during the movement of the cursor by turning the rotary switch in the desired direction.

If the movement of the cursor triggered by axial force on the rotary switch, for example, over a predetermined time, there is the advantage that especially in a long movement of the cursor in one direction not resorted to as in a long rotation of the rotary switch in one direction again and again but that the hand or fingers can remain positioned in the same way on the rotary switch during cursor movement.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the operating mode and / or at least one of the further operating modes by the operation of at least one further rotary, pressure and / or slide switch is adjustable. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the operating mode has to be changed very frequently.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the operating mode and / or at least one of the further operating modes by at least one axial force over a predetermined time on the rotary switch, preferably against a spring force adjustable. This development is particularly easy to use when only a few operating modes are used.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to drawings.

Figur 1:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Drehschalters der erfindungsgemäßen Navigationsvorrichtung in einer Aufsicht;

Figur 2:

eine schematische Darstellung des Drehschalters gemäß Figur 1 in einer Seitenansicht; und

Figur 3:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Monitors der erfindungsgemäßen Navigationsvorrichtung.

It shows:

FIG. 1:

a schematic representation of a rotary switch of the navigation device according to the invention in a plan;

FIG. 2:

a schematic representation of the rotary switch according to FIG. 1 in a side view; and

FIG. 3:

a schematic representation of a monitor of the navigation device according to the invention.

In an ergonomically favorable for the user situation in a motor vehicle, a rotary switch 10 is mounted in the Figures 1 and 2 is shown. This rotary switch 10 is used in addition to the operation of the navigation device for other purposes, ie for the operation of other devices in the motor vehicle, for example, to operate a car phone, a CD player and the like. This rotary switch 10 is, as indicated by the arrows 30, rotatable with and counterclockwise and also by an axial movement in various positions, the user undergoes a haptic feedback at the transition between the individual axial positions. The rotary switch 10 has a first recess 12 and a second recess 14, can engage in the locking elements 16, so that the rotary switch 10 can be fixed in two different axial positions. A movement out of the FIG. 2 shown equilibrium position takes place against the force of a spring 18th

The navigation device also has a monitor 20, which in FIG. 3 is shown schematically and is mounted in a motor vehicle so that it is clearly visible to the user.

The individual axial positions are correlated with different operating modes, the operating modes and their setting being described below on the basis of the FIGS. 2 and 3 to be discribed.

A first axial position is to be set by pressing the rotary switch 10 to a noticeable stop, wherein the locking elements 16 engage in the first recess 12. On the monitor 20, the operating mode "scale change" is displayed in a first display field 22. In addition, a display character is displayed on the monitor 20 in a second display panel 24, which reproduces a current scale of an imaged map. By turning the rotary switch 10, the scale of the map can now be changed, wherein the map is displayed on the monitor 20 in the current scale at the same time. If the rotational movement of the rotary switch 10 is set, the current magnification is stored and is retained until a subsequent scale change.

A second axial position is starting from the first axial position by slight pressure on the rotary switch 10 against the spring force 18 to achieve. In this position, the rotary switch 10 does not engage, but this position is taken over a predetermined time, can thereby select another operating mode. The thus selected operating mode "cursor movement arrow direction" is again displayed on the monitor 20 in the first display panel 22. On the monitor 20 is now also a cursor 26 can be seen, which begins to move in a default direction. The speed of the cursor movement may be correlated with the map scale of the map as appropriate. By rotation of the rotary switch 10, a change in the direction of movement of the cursor 26 can be brought about, as indicated by the arrows 32. Here, the cursor 26 may be shown as an arrow on the monitor 20 to illustrate its direction of movement. By pressing the rotary switch 10 again in the second axial position over a predetermined time, the operating mode "cursor movement arrow direction" can be left again.

A third axial position can be achieved starting from the first axial position by slightly tightening the rotary switch 10. In this case, the latching elements 16 engage noticeably in the second recess 14 of the rotary switch 10 for the user. A previously selected route is optically highlighted on the map, and also the current operation mode "cursor movement route" is displayed in the first display panel 22 on the monitor 20. The rotation of the rotary switch 10 allows the cursor 26 to move along the previously selected route.

Starting from the third axial position to reach the fourth axial position by pulling the rotary switch 10. If this position, in which the rotary switch 10 does not latch, taken over a predetermined time, so it can choose another operating mode. In this operating mode, functions that are now displayed within a third display field 28 on the monitor 20 can be selected by turning the rotary switch 10. This is illustrated by the arrow 34. The selected function is visually highlighted on the monitor 20 and by briefly pressing or pulling the rotary switch 10, the selected function is called. The functions are displayed on the monitor 20 so that the view of the map is not unnecessarily obstructed. In one embodiment of the invention, the functions shown are arranged in a circle on the monitor 20.

One of the selectable functions is the so-called "location information", through which information about a location or its vicinity can be retrieved. Another function is to set the point on the map selected in one of the operating modes with the cursor 26 as an "intermediate destination" or a "destination". A distance display function displays the distance from the current position of the vehicle to a point selected by the cursor 26 on the map.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cursor 26 is fixed to the center of the image displayed on the monitor 20, and in the operating mode "cursor movement arrow direction" and "cursor movement route" the map is either moved according to the arrow direction of the cursor 26 or shifted so that the imaging center is guided along the predetermined route along.

In a further alternative embodiment, the cursor movement direction can be adjusted when the cursor 26 is at a standstill. After the adjustment can then be triggered by actuation of the rotary switch 10, a movement of the cursor 26 in this direction, this direction can be modified by turning the rotary switch 10.

In a further alternative embodiment, a switching of the operating modes, for example by a mounted against a spring force 18 rotary switch 10, wherein the various operating modes are cycled and a single short press of the rotary switch 10 with a first operating mode, a twice in quick succession pressing with a second operating mode, etc. is correlated.

Claims (13)

1. Navigation apparatus, particularly for installation in a motor vehicle, which has a monitor (20) which can be used to present a depiction, particularly a map,
   characterized
   in that rotation of a rotary switch (10) in a user mode allows the scale of the depiction to be selected, wherein it is also possible to call a depiction which has a display panel (28) with a menu having at least one function, wherein rotation of the rotary switch in a further user mode allows a function to be selected from said menu.
2. Navigation apparatus according to Claim 1,
   characterized
   in that the function allows information relating to a point which corresponds to the or a current cursor position or relating to a perimeter of the relevant point on the map.
3. Navigation apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized
   in that the function allows the point which corresponds to the current cursor position on the map to be set as a destination or intermediate destination.
4. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that the centre of the depiction is maintained when the scale is selected.
5. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that rotation of the rotary switch in a further user mode allows the direction of movement of a cursor on the depiction to be selected.
6. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that rotation of the rotary switch in a further user mode allows the movement of the or a cursor in or opposite to a selected direction of movement to be executed.
7. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that an axial action of force on the rotary switch allows the movement of the or a cursor in or opposite to a or the selected direction of movement to be executed or initiated.
8. Navigation apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7,
   characterized
   in that the direction of movement of the cursor can be changed during the movement of the cursor or while the cursor is stationary by rotating the rotary switch.
9. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized
   in that an axial action of force on the rotary switch or rotation of the rotary switch in a further user mode allows the movement of or a cursor along a predetermined route on the depiction, particularly a map, to be executed.
10. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that the function allows the user mode and/or at least one of the further user modes to be set.
11. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that the user mode and/or at least one of the further user modes can be set by an axial movement of the rotary switch.
12. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that the user mode and/or at least one of the further user modes can be set by the operation of at least one further rotary, push and/or slide switch.
13. Navigation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized
    in that the user mode and/or at least one of the further user modes can be set by at least one short axial action of force on the rotary switch.

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